The Hindu : Plan size may be slashed, says Antony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Plan size may be slashed, says Antony

NEDUMKANTAM (IDUKKI DISTRICT), MARCH 23 . The Chief Minister, A.K.Antony, today hinted that the State would be forced to cut the size of its annual Plan to mobilise additional funds to meet the unprecedented drought situation.

Speaking to reporters before he wound up his five-district fact-finding mission here today, Mr. Antony said he expected liberal assistance from the Centre. If it did not materialise, the State would be forced to make necessary amendments in the Plan so that additional funds could be mopped up, he said.

Asked about the possible fallout of such a move on the annual Plan, which has already been trimmed for other reasons, the Chief Minister said the main concern before the Government was to give relief to the droyght-hit.

The allocation of Rs.200 crores for the purpose would not be enough to move ahead until June 15, he said. Mr. Antony said there would also be changes in priorities for the annual Plan for the coming year.

The Chief Minister, who started today's journey from the tea plantation area of Peerumedu, said the complex situation in the plantation sector had been compounded by the drought.

Workers in many of the plantations were living in inhuman conditions and required urgent attention.

He said a meeting of the people's representatives, trade union leaders and representatives of plantation management would be held at Thiruvananthapuram on March 25. A package for the plantation workers is expected to be announced at the meeting.

Measures taken so far had not been enough and enhanced assistance would have to be provided to the people in the area, he said.

The Chief Minister started his journey from Peerumedu at 7.15 a.m. and got down at various points including Manjumalai, Rosapookandam, Anakkara, Kambammettu, Karunapuram and Ramakalmedu before reaching Nedumkantam at 2 p.m.

He later proceeded to Munnar where he would hold discussions with officials before arriving at a final assessment of the situation.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala